1 00:00:03,703 --> 00:00:06,706 >> This is NC Spin and unrehearsed discussion 2 00:00:06,806 --> 00:00:08,775 on issues of interest in North Carolina. 3 00:00:09,476 --> 00:00:11,811 Now here is your moderator Tom Campbell. 4 00:00:15,615 --> 00:00:18,284 We're not superstitious but we want to welcome you 5 00:00:18,385 --> 00:00:21,354 to the Friday the 13th edition of balance debate 6 00:00:21,454 --> 00:00:22,789 for the old state 7 00:00:22,889 --> 00:00:26,926 which by the way happens to be our 13th show on UNC-TV. 8 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,530 Well temperatures aren't the only thing warming up this week. 9 00:00:30,630 --> 00:00:32,632 Our panel will debate the ongoing wars 10 00:00:32,732 --> 00:00:34,968 between the executive and legislative branches 11 00:00:35,068 --> 00:00:37,270 and talk about the latest court verdicts. 12 00:00:37,370 --> 00:00:39,572 We'll examine the potential for trade wars 13 00:00:39,672 --> 00:00:41,808 and how they could affect our state's economy. 14 00:00:41,908 --> 00:00:44,711 And four weeks before the May 8 primary 15 00:00:44,811 --> 00:00:46,179 the only fireworks 16 00:00:46,279 --> 00:00:49,049 seemed to be in the courtroom. We'll talk about it. 17 00:00:49,149 --> 00:00:51,684 And you wouldn't won't let us go without our panel 18 00:00:51,785 --> 00:00:53,286 telling us something we don't know. 19 00:00:53,953 --> 00:00:55,789 Joining us this week on the panel 20 00:00:55,889 --> 00:00:58,958 are Brad Crone political consultant and analyst 21 00:00:59,859 --> 00:01:03,530 John Hood's syndicated columnist and author 22 00:01:03,630 --> 00:01:06,866 Chris Fitzsimon Political Analyst and columnist. 23 00:01:06,966 --> 00:01:09,335 And Anna Beavon Gravely welcome to the show. 24 00:01:09,436 --> 00:01:11,571 For the first time political analyst 25 00:01:11,671 --> 00:01:13,406 and with Americans for Prosperity 26 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,242 Well we're going to begin our uninterrupted debate 27 00:01:16,342 --> 00:01:19,112 after these brief messages from our underwriters. 28 00:01:22,282 --> 00:01:24,651 >> From treating the newest member of your family 29 00:01:24,751 --> 00:01:26,519 to helping a loved one make end of life 30 00:01:26,619 --> 00:01:28,588 decisions your family physician 31 00:01:28,688 --> 00:01:31,958 is with you every step for every stage of life. 32 00:01:32,058 --> 00:01:33,693 For every member of your family. 33 00:01:34,194 --> 00:01:36,196 Despite a health care landscape for help 34 00:01:36,296 --> 00:01:39,899 with potential landmines family physicians across North Carolina 35 00:01:40,433 --> 00:01:43,069 are providing you a lifetime of committed 36 00:01:43,169 --> 00:01:46,372 dependable medical care family physicians 37 00:01:46,473 --> 00:01:48,908 your trusted health care adviser for life. 38 00:01:52,645 --> 00:01:54,314 >> Agriculture. 39 00:01:54,414 --> 00:01:58,485 It's North Carolina's number one economic driver. 40 00:01:59,219 --> 00:02:03,890 >> It puts people to work it powers our economy. 41 00:02:04,657 --> 00:02:09,362 And as agriculture grows so does our quality of life. 42 00:02:10,263 --> 00:02:14,501 North Carolina Farm Bureau is proud to support agriculture 43 00:02:14,601 --> 00:02:18,004 and our farmers because agriculture. 44 00:02:18,104 --> 00:02:20,106 >> Connects us all. 45 00:02:21,441 --> 00:02:23,009 >> Let's get started. 46 00:02:23,109 --> 00:02:24,310 The war between the executive 47 00:02:24,410 --> 00:02:26,346 and legislative branches of our government 48 00:02:26,446 --> 00:02:29,415 which started when Pat McCrory was governor has escalated 49 00:02:29,516 --> 00:02:33,219 to the point where just about any action either side takes 50 00:02:33,319 --> 00:02:35,788 is surely going to result in a lawsuit from the other. 51 00:02:36,489 --> 00:02:38,625 Some court cases resulted in lawsuits 52 00:02:38,725 --> 00:02:40,927 by the Republican led legislature. 53 00:02:41,027 --> 00:02:43,763 Others handed verdicts against the executive branch. 54 00:02:43,863 --> 00:02:46,432 The latest ruling dealt with who had the authority 55 00:02:46,533 --> 00:02:49,802 to determine how millions of dollars in settlements 56 00:02:49,903 --> 00:02:53,072 from this to the state from Volkswagen would be spent. 57 00:02:53,173 --> 00:02:54,707 And a three judge panel affirmed 58 00:02:54,807 --> 00:02:56,476 the legislature has the authority 59 00:02:56,576 --> 00:02:59,479 to appropriate that money even in court settlements. 60 00:02:59,579 --> 00:03:01,147 Chris let's start with the basics here. 61 00:03:02,115 --> 00:03:04,484 It is well known and acknowledged 62 00:03:04,584 --> 00:03:06,019 we have one of the we guess 63 00:03:06,119 --> 00:03:09,122 executive branches of all the states 64 00:03:09,222 --> 00:03:10,390 and the legislature has 65 00:03:10,490 --> 00:03:12,258 the majority of power in North Carolina. 66 00:03:12,358 --> 00:03:16,696 And this was originally done when the columnists were fed up 67 00:03:16,796 --> 00:03:19,732 with the tyrannical king in England. 68 00:03:19,832 --> 00:03:21,467 The question many are asking right now 69 00:03:21,568 --> 00:03:23,636 is is this balance of power 70 00:03:23,736 --> 00:03:26,940 tilting too far in favor of the legislative branch. 71 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:28,708 >> Well you know we even had a weaker governor up 72 00:03:28,808 --> 00:03:30,043 until the veto power 73 00:03:30,143 --> 00:03:31,544 was passed we were the only state in the veto 74 00:03:31,644 --> 00:03:33,279 for many years that the governor didn't have the veto 75 00:03:33,379 --> 00:03:34,981 it gets changed in the mid 90s 76 00:03:36,115 --> 00:03:37,383 and now I think our governor 77 00:03:37,483 --> 00:03:39,252 is a little more powerful than he or she was. 78 00:03:39,352 --> 00:03:40,653 But there's a couple of things going on here. 79 00:03:40,753 --> 00:03:42,789 One is I do think we constantly need to look at this 80 00:03:42,889 --> 00:03:45,725 and the balance of powers but what appalls me frankly 81 00:03:45,825 --> 00:03:47,160 is the way we're looking at it this time 82 00:03:47,260 --> 00:03:48,661 remember a lot of these big battles 83 00:03:48,761 --> 00:03:51,397 started in a special session. Nobody knew was going to happen. 84 00:03:51,497 --> 00:03:53,399 It was wasn't called until five minutes 85 00:03:53,499 --> 00:03:54,667 before it was held in December 86 00:03:54,767 --> 00:03:56,336 after Roy Cooper was elected governor. 87 00:03:57,003 --> 00:03:58,371 And other than the Volkswagen suit 88 00:03:58,471 --> 00:04:02,175 and whatever you want to say about the pipeline fund 89 00:04:02,275 --> 00:04:03,843 I think for the most part Governor Cooper 90 00:04:03,943 --> 00:04:05,745 hasn't been trying to seize more power. 91 00:04:05,845 --> 00:04:08,181 He's been fending off bizarre 92 00:04:08,281 --> 00:04:09,782 attempts to take power away from him again. 93 00:04:09,882 --> 00:04:11,651 I'm not saying necessarily we have the right balance 94 00:04:11,751 --> 00:04:14,287 but what we have is a terrible process to figure it out 95 00:04:14,387 --> 00:04:16,356 before we make significant changes in power. 96 00:04:16,456 --> 00:04:18,024 We need a thoughtful process. 97 00:04:18,124 --> 00:04:21,060 >> John, from where I sit it almost looks like this 98 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:24,297 legislature is deliberately trying to devise legislation 99 00:04:24,397 --> 00:04:28,001 that pushes the limits of power for the executive branch 100 00:04:28,101 --> 00:04:31,070 and to pick fights with them. Is that fair. 101 00:04:31,170 --> 00:04:33,439 >> Well I think they would argue that they are defending 102 00:04:33,539 --> 00:04:37,610 the legislature's preeminent role in state government. 103 00:04:37,710 --> 00:04:39,779 They've fully in fact both parties back 104 00:04:39,879 --> 00:04:41,214 when the Democrats were in charge 105 00:04:41,314 --> 00:04:43,316 they made no bones about the fact that the legislature 106 00:04:43,416 --> 00:04:44,784 isn't an equal branch of government 107 00:04:44,884 --> 00:04:47,387 with the governor and the Supreme Court. 108 00:04:47,487 --> 00:04:49,289 It's a superior branch. That's their argument. 109 00:04:49,389 --> 00:04:50,857 They're very explicit about it 110 00:04:50,957 --> 00:04:52,725 and that's a pretty good reading of the Constitution. 111 00:04:52,825 --> 00:04:54,093 I think in this particular case 112 00:04:54,193 --> 00:04:56,696 with the settlement dollars for example 113 00:04:56,796 --> 00:04:58,264 I don't agree with Chris about this. 114 00:04:58,364 --> 00:05:01,167 I think this wasn't a step for the governor to assert power 115 00:05:01,267 --> 00:05:03,903 that no previous governor has ever really enjoyed. 116 00:05:04,003 --> 00:05:06,906 That is pretty clearly not justified by the Constitution. 117 00:05:07,006 --> 00:05:08,608 The notion that you can accept money 118 00:05:09,108 --> 00:05:10,143 from the federal government 119 00:05:10,243 --> 00:05:11,678 or from a settlement or something 120 00:05:11,778 --> 00:05:14,447 and directed without the legislature's control is odd 121 00:05:14,547 --> 00:05:16,449 and I'm surprised that wasn't a unanimous decision. 122 00:05:16,549 --> 00:05:18,951 >> We've been having these arguments going back and forth 123 00:05:19,052 --> 00:05:21,120 even before Governor Cooper 124 00:05:21,220 --> 00:05:24,290 came oh was facing -- >> The late 1790s. 125 00:05:24,390 --> 00:05:26,492 >> So -- >> Tom remembers that! 126 00:05:26,592 --> 00:05:29,195 >> I was a young boy at the time. 127 00:05:30,229 --> 00:05:33,199 Here's my question who's keeping score here. 128 00:05:33,299 --> 00:05:35,802 Who's winning the legislature winning. 129 00:05:35,902 --> 00:05:38,237 The governor winning? Or is it kind of a draw. 130 00:05:39,172 --> 00:05:41,107 >> Finally if I was keeping score 131 00:05:41,607 --> 00:05:43,109 I would say the is winning. 132 00:05:43,209 --> 00:05:45,278 The legislature has always won 133 00:05:45,378 --> 00:05:47,947 and based on our state constitution 134 00:05:48,047 --> 00:05:53,986 from the development of it in 1790 to 1793 post Civil War 135 00:05:54,087 --> 00:05:56,656 and even the new development of the state constitution 136 00:05:56,756 --> 00:06:00,827 in the late 1960s the legislatures won 137 00:06:00,927 --> 00:06:02,295 and they will continue to win. 138 00:06:02,395 --> 00:06:03,696 Now I would argue with you 139 00:06:03,796 --> 00:06:05,665 about whether or not we have a weak governorship. 140 00:06:06,366 --> 00:06:08,501 I contend our governorship strength 141 00:06:08,601 --> 00:06:10,937 is based on the individual of the governor 142 00:06:11,037 --> 00:06:13,573 and in particular for example Jim Hunt 143 00:06:13,673 --> 00:06:15,575 was a very powerful governor 144 00:06:15,675 --> 00:06:19,145 and use the leverage that he had had we had powerful governors 145 00:06:19,245 --> 00:06:21,881 since Jim Hunt left office in 2001. 146 00:06:21,981 --> 00:06:23,383 That's a big question mark. 147 00:06:23,483 --> 00:06:26,786 >> Anna, I think a lot of people would say 148 00:06:26,886 --> 00:06:28,788 regardless of Brad's keeping score 149 00:06:28,888 --> 00:06:31,758 as to who's winning who's losing the people of North Carolina 150 00:06:31,858 --> 00:06:33,526 probably are the ones that are losing 151 00:06:33,626 --> 00:06:36,662 because we're having to pay all these exorbitant court costs 152 00:06:36,763 --> 00:06:39,799 and get tied up when we could be talking about issues 153 00:06:39,899 --> 00:06:42,502 instead of going to court. Would you agree. 154 00:06:42,602 --> 00:06:44,036 >> Absolutely. I mean you're absolutely right. 155 00:06:44,137 --> 00:06:46,005 I think the part that stands out to me more than anything 156 00:06:46,105 --> 00:06:48,508 is just the power of the judicial branch 157 00:06:48,608 --> 00:06:51,744 and this conversation is how so many things are going to court 158 00:06:51,844 --> 00:06:53,679 so many things are being decided by 159 00:06:54,313 --> 00:06:57,417 by small panels of judges and that's what's confusing. 160 00:06:57,517 --> 00:06:59,719 >> That's a good point because we're really kind of tilt power 161 00:06:59,819 --> 00:07:01,521 over toward them a little bit. 162 00:07:01,621 --> 00:07:03,356 >> Absolutely and I think that's what's most confusing. 163 00:07:03,456 --> 00:07:06,025 >> So let's look at this latest verdict 164 00:07:06,125 --> 00:07:07,794 that came out, three judge panel 165 00:07:07,894 --> 00:07:11,531 ruled that the legislature alone has the power 166 00:07:11,631 --> 00:07:13,499 to determine the Volkswagen settlement money 167 00:07:13,599 --> 00:07:16,302 which by the way is 92 million dollars. 168 00:07:17,336 --> 00:07:19,038 Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger 169 00:07:19,138 --> 00:07:20,873 applauded the decision from the court 170 00:07:20,973 --> 00:07:24,477 saying the Constitution gives the appropriations authority 171 00:07:24,577 --> 00:07:27,547 to 170 people not one. 172 00:07:28,548 --> 00:07:30,116 Agree or disagree. 173 00:07:30,216 --> 00:07:31,784 >> I think that we're going to see I don't think this is over. 174 00:07:31,884 --> 00:07:33,786 You know this is a three judge panel this is going to go like 175 00:07:33,886 --> 00:07:36,689 all these decisions the Supreme Court which is four to three. 176 00:07:36,789 --> 00:07:39,826 I think tilting more toward the Democratic point of view 177 00:07:39,926 --> 00:07:42,061 although I think there's easily an argument to be made 178 00:07:42,161 --> 00:07:43,496 that the legislature should do this. 179 00:07:43,596 --> 00:07:44,831 What has happened in the past. 180 00:07:44,931 --> 00:07:46,999 The most famous examples the golden leaf fund 181 00:07:47,099 --> 00:07:48,734 the legislature has the authority 182 00:07:48,835 --> 00:07:50,102 but the governor works closely 183 00:07:50,203 --> 00:07:51,604 with the legislature and comes up with a plan. 184 00:07:51,704 --> 00:07:53,573 I think the best thing would be if they could figure out a way 185 00:07:53,673 --> 00:07:56,576 to cooperate in these areas and give the governor input. 186 00:07:56,676 --> 00:07:58,044 The other thing I think it's important to jump in here 187 00:07:58,144 --> 00:07:59,846 and say one of the things that most distressing is that 188 00:07:59,946 --> 00:08:02,582 when Senator Berger's reaction to this decision 189 00:08:02,682 --> 00:08:04,784 when Senator Berger wins he praises the court. 190 00:08:04,884 --> 00:08:06,552 When Senator Berger loses and his allies 191 00:08:06,652 --> 00:08:08,087 they'll question whether or not the judge 192 00:08:08,187 --> 00:08:09,822 should take off their robes and run for the legislature 193 00:08:09,922 --> 00:08:11,324 and they're outraged -- >> The legitimacy of the court 194 00:08:11,424 --> 00:08:12,492 >> The legitimacy of the court 195 00:08:12,592 --> 00:08:14,293 I think it's worth noting Governor Cooper 196 00:08:14,393 --> 00:08:16,829 and others are disappointed in the decisions 197 00:08:16,929 --> 00:08:18,698 but they're not questioning the very process 198 00:08:18,798 --> 00:08:21,367 by which judges make decisions and that's a big difference. 199 00:08:21,467 --> 00:08:23,669 >> OK, so help us understand Brad, 200 00:08:23,769 --> 00:08:26,339 the opportunity scholarships part 201 00:08:26,439 --> 00:08:28,307 of that decision that came out. 202 00:08:29,509 --> 00:08:33,913 It said as I understood it dealing vouchers 203 00:08:34,013 --> 00:08:35,114 for private schools 204 00:08:35,214 --> 00:08:36,782 that the governor should include 205 00:08:36,883 --> 00:08:39,585 an additional ten million dollars per year 206 00:08:39,685 --> 00:08:42,355 in his budget proposals for the coming year. 207 00:08:42,455 --> 00:08:43,856 Now Governor Cooper is looking at this 208 00:08:43,956 --> 00:08:46,959 and saying hey they got the ability and authority 209 00:08:47,059 --> 00:08:48,861 to to appropriate money 210 00:08:48,961 --> 00:08:50,997 but they can't tell me how to craft a budget. 211 00:08:51,097 --> 00:08:52,598 >> I think he's absolutely right. 212 00:08:52,698 --> 00:08:56,769 I think the prescription process is flawed in that ruling Tom. 213 00:08:57,336 --> 00:09:00,540 Clearly the legislature has the constitutional authority 214 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:02,141 to appropriate money 215 00:09:02,241 --> 00:09:04,310 but I don't think that it's right for the courts 216 00:09:04,410 --> 00:09:08,881 to prescribe how the governor should recommend 217 00:09:08,981 --> 00:09:11,817 to the legislature the appropriation of state funds. 218 00:09:11,918 --> 00:09:14,020 >> I might suggest I disagree about that. 219 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:17,290 And here's the reason: the governor's current process 220 00:09:17,390 --> 00:09:20,126 by which he follows to get all the stuff 221 00:09:20,226 --> 00:09:21,561 from the various departments 222 00:09:21,661 --> 00:09:23,729 and proposed budget legislature that's statutory. 223 00:09:23,829 --> 00:09:24,664 >> Yes. 224 00:09:24,764 --> 00:09:25,565 >> There's nothing in the constitution 225 00:09:25,665 --> 00:09:26,999 that lays all that out. 226 00:09:27,099 --> 00:09:28,601 >> But there's nothing in the Constitution that tells him 227 00:09:28,701 --> 00:09:29,936 he's got to appropriate a certain amount of money -- 228 00:09:30,036 --> 00:09:30,970 >> What I'm saying 229 00:09:31,070 --> 00:09:33,205 is the legislature has this can pass a law 230 00:09:33,306 --> 00:09:35,474 that determines how the governor puts his budget together. 231 00:09:35,575 --> 00:09:37,076 That's the system we currently live in, 232 00:09:37,176 --> 00:09:40,513 that was created by the legislature. 233 00:09:40,613 --> 00:09:42,415 >> May be that this panel also said 234 00:09:42,515 --> 00:09:44,250 that the legislature had the power 235 00:09:44,350 --> 00:09:48,287 to shrink the size of the court of appeals from 15 down 236 00:09:48,387 --> 00:09:53,125 to 12 members reading article 4 section 7 of the Constitution. 237 00:09:53,225 --> 00:09:57,330 It clearly says that the general assembly has the authority 238 00:09:57,430 --> 00:09:59,465 from time to time to increase or decrease. 239 00:09:59,999 --> 00:10:03,636 The governor said that it limited his authority 240 00:10:03,736 --> 00:10:06,872 to be able to appoint judges when a vacancy is created. 241 00:10:08,207 --> 00:10:11,410 We're not lawyers but does that argument make sense to you? 242 00:10:11,510 --> 00:10:12,912 >> That argument does not make sense to me. 243 00:10:13,012 --> 00:10:14,213 He still has the authority 244 00:10:14,313 --> 00:10:16,882 to be able to appoint vacancies to the court. 245 00:10:16,983 --> 00:10:18,217 >> And I think that still stands. 246 00:10:18,317 --> 00:10:19,318 >> I want to jump in little bit on the 247 00:10:19,418 --> 00:10:21,020 the issue about the opportunity scholarships. 248 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:22,355 If you follow John's logic 249 00:10:22,455 --> 00:10:25,057 which please don't ever follow the logic 250 00:10:25,157 --> 00:10:27,526 it's done loads of good to the legislature 251 00:10:27,627 --> 00:10:31,631 could conceivably hypothetically pass a law in 2018 252 00:10:31,731 --> 00:10:34,533 saying here is what the governor has to recommend in 2019 253 00:10:34,634 --> 00:10:36,102 and write a whole budget 254 00:10:36,202 --> 00:10:37,703 and say here's what the governor Cooper has to recommend. 255 00:10:37,803 --> 00:10:40,139 Now does anybody think that that would be that. 256 00:10:40,239 --> 00:10:42,008 That's the logic of this argument which is they can tell 257 00:10:42,108 --> 00:10:43,309 the governor every single thing he has to recommend -- 258 00:10:43,409 --> 00:10:46,312 [all talking] 259 00:10:46,412 --> 00:10:48,581 >> I mean why not have the discretion once it gets there 260 00:10:48,681 --> 00:10:50,082 to do what they want to 261 00:10:50,182 --> 00:10:51,384 so why put handcuffs on the governor? 262 00:10:51,484 --> 00:10:52,618 >> I understand that argument. 263 00:10:52,718 --> 00:10:54,220 That's a good prudential argument 264 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:55,988 against putting handcuffs on the governor. 265 00:10:56,088 --> 00:10:57,490 This is not about that. The judges 266 00:10:57,590 --> 00:10:59,325 and this is where Berger is right about this. 267 00:10:59,425 --> 00:11:02,028 This is not the judge it's not the job of Supreme Court Justice 268 00:11:02,128 --> 00:11:04,563 to determine the best budget process. 269 00:11:04,664 --> 00:11:06,465 Their job is only to determine 270 00:11:06,565 --> 00:11:08,167 whether the legislatures enactments 271 00:11:08,267 --> 00:11:10,236 the legislatures led legislation 272 00:11:10,336 --> 00:11:11,737 is consistent with the constitution 273 00:11:11,837 --> 00:11:14,306 or not say all of y'all are making good arguments 274 00:11:14,407 --> 00:11:16,342 as to why you might want to structure the budget process 275 00:11:16,442 --> 00:11:18,411 in a certain way that the governor does not have 276 00:11:18,511 --> 00:11:20,246 inherent constitutional authority -- 277 00:11:20,346 --> 00:11:24,250 >> So the legislature is coming back into town May 16th. 278 00:11:24,350 --> 00:11:27,953 some of you guys hang out around the legislature. 279 00:11:28,054 --> 00:11:29,288 >> Signing day for all of us. 280 00:11:29,388 --> 00:11:30,289 [laughter] 281 00:11:30,389 --> 00:11:32,391 >> Any indication what kind of items 282 00:11:32,491 --> 00:11:35,061 might be on the agenda when we come back. 283 00:11:35,161 --> 00:11:36,162 For instance judicial 284 00:11:36,262 --> 00:11:37,530 redistricting are we going to see 285 00:11:37,630 --> 00:11:40,132 that the short session definitely heard a lot 286 00:11:40,232 --> 00:11:41,600 about judicial selection. 287 00:11:41,701 --> 00:11:44,570 >> There's a huge conversation a lot of amendments 288 00:11:44,670 --> 00:11:46,739 has continued to continue to be push 289 00:11:46,839 --> 00:11:49,709 which is a constitutional constitutional amendment. 290 00:11:50,409 --> 00:11:53,045 They've been pushed back from special session special session 291 00:11:53,145 --> 00:11:56,382 and now being hopeful going to land in the short session. 292 00:11:56,482 --> 00:11:59,385 >> I think there may be three or four constitutional amendments 293 00:11:59,485 --> 00:12:01,053 on the ballot in November. 294 00:12:01,153 --> 00:12:04,590 >> Interesting. Well the war between the executive 295 00:12:04,690 --> 00:12:06,525 and legislative branches in North Carolina 296 00:12:06,625 --> 00:12:08,127 is not the only one going on. 297 00:12:08,227 --> 00:12:10,863 President Trump has taken a had line stance on our nation's 298 00:12:10,963 --> 00:12:13,065 imbalance between imports and exports. 299 00:12:13,599 --> 00:12:16,135 He's instituted tariffs on many foreign products 300 00:12:16,235 --> 00:12:17,603 coming into our country 301 00:12:17,703 --> 00:12:20,606 and some especially China are retaliating. 302 00:12:20,706 --> 00:12:24,076 Trump says he isn't shy about engaging in trade wars. 303 00:12:24,176 --> 00:12:27,480 But people in North Carolina are worried that these wars 304 00:12:27,580 --> 00:12:29,115 might make them casualties 305 00:12:29,215 --> 00:12:33,452 and even China seems intent to hurt those states 306 00:12:33,953 --> 00:12:37,123 and the state economies where Trump won in 2016. 307 00:12:38,157 --> 00:12:40,493 In our state the farmers particularly are concerned 308 00:12:40,593 --> 00:12:44,063 about exports of tobacco soybeans corn and poultry. 309 00:12:44,163 --> 00:12:47,933 Your organization AFP has come out in opposition 310 00:12:48,033 --> 00:12:49,401 to these tariffs. Tell us why. 311 00:12:49,969 --> 00:12:51,937 >> Well tariffs are a tax plan and simple. 312 00:12:52,037 --> 00:12:57,009 And we see that tariffs increase costs and decrease competition 313 00:12:57,109 --> 00:12:58,844 and really limit choices 314 00:12:58,944 --> 00:13:01,647 and it really takes a step backwards from the gains 315 00:13:01,747 --> 00:13:03,082 have been made by the jobs. 316 00:13:03,682 --> 00:13:07,887 The tax cuts and Jobs Act that was signed in December of 2017 317 00:13:07,987 --> 00:13:12,458 where we have over 500 business businesses countrywide 318 00:13:12,558 --> 00:13:15,528 that are increasing salaries for their employees 319 00:13:15,628 --> 00:13:16,762 and their workers. 320 00:13:16,862 --> 00:13:19,532 And we have just we have 22 over 22 321 00:13:19,632 --> 00:13:23,068 in North Carolina from Apple to Chipotle 322 00:13:23,169 --> 00:13:25,137 who are seeing value in doing that. 323 00:13:25,805 --> 00:13:27,640 And we in North Carolina have history 324 00:13:27,740 --> 00:13:29,675 that shows that lowering taxes 325 00:13:29,775 --> 00:13:31,811 and decreasing economic burden on businesses 326 00:13:31,911 --> 00:13:34,113 all businesses create a better environment. 327 00:13:34,213 --> 00:13:36,882 >> We're talking about $2.3 billion in products 328 00:13:36,982 --> 00:13:40,686 that we export to China and much of that is in agriculture. 329 00:13:40,786 --> 00:13:43,022 >> Here's the underreported story in the state 330 00:13:43,122 --> 00:13:44,890 of North Carolina in rural North Carolina. 331 00:13:44,990 --> 00:13:48,194 Right now our farmers are not only in a recession. 332 00:13:48,294 --> 00:13:50,129 Many of them are in a depression. 333 00:13:50,229 --> 00:13:52,565 They've had collapses in the soybean market 334 00:13:52,665 --> 00:13:55,234 the cotton market and tobacco in particular. 335 00:13:55,334 --> 00:13:58,537 So there are cash poor and trying to get credit 336 00:13:58,637 --> 00:14:01,106 from the traditional farm credit services Tom 337 00:14:01,207 --> 00:14:02,875 is like pulling hen's teeth. 338 00:14:02,975 --> 00:14:06,478 >> Commodity prices have tanked -- 339 00:14:06,579 --> 00:14:09,114 >> Right, you add the threat of a tariff on soybeans 340 00:14:09,215 --> 00:14:11,517 and on pork products even though Smithfield's 341 00:14:11,617 --> 00:14:12,918 are biggest pork producers 342 00:14:13,018 --> 00:14:15,187 Chinese own, they'll will be hurting themselves 343 00:14:15,287 --> 00:14:17,523 there is very threatening -- 344 00:14:17,623 --> 00:14:19,692 >> John you study economies quite a bit. 345 00:14:19,792 --> 00:14:21,026 You're our resident economists. 346 00:14:21,126 --> 00:14:23,696 >> I don't have that credential. 347 00:14:23,796 --> 00:14:26,632 >> But if this if these tariffs do go into effect 348 00:14:26,732 --> 00:14:28,200 not only are they going to impact 349 00:14:28,300 --> 00:14:30,536 the agricultural sector of our economy 350 00:14:30,636 --> 00:14:32,338 it's going to play out all the way through 351 00:14:32,438 --> 00:14:34,106 North Carolina's economy is it not? 352 00:14:34,206 --> 00:14:36,275 >> Well it is and in fact we don't have to wonder 353 00:14:36,375 --> 00:14:38,711 whether the Chinese imposed tariffs will hurt 354 00:14:38,811 --> 00:14:40,646 North Carolina exporters. 355 00:14:40,746 --> 00:14:43,716 The American tariffs hurt North Carolina exports remember 356 00:14:43,816 --> 00:14:45,584 that some of our biggest export businesses you 357 00:14:45,684 --> 00:14:48,220 all talked about agriculture and that's important 358 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:51,223 but we export a lot of motor vehicles 359 00:14:51,323 --> 00:14:53,025 and motor vehicle parts. We don't make cars. 360 00:14:53,125 --> 00:14:55,327 We make lots of trucks and tractors and so forth 361 00:14:55,427 --> 00:14:58,564 and we export aircraft and aircraft parts. 362 00:14:58,664 --> 00:15:00,766 These are industries that require 363 00:15:00,866 --> 00:15:03,302 affordable steel and aluminum 364 00:15:03,402 --> 00:15:05,037 and to raise -- 365 00:15:05,137 --> 00:15:06,772 I mean there's a whole bunch of things 366 00:15:06,872 --> 00:15:09,708 that we're harming ourselves in the notion 367 00:15:09,808 --> 00:15:12,077 that we're going to ultimately help ourselves in North Carolina 368 00:15:12,177 --> 00:15:13,379 it's not a good plan. 369 00:15:13,479 --> 00:15:16,482 >> Chris there are some people who are saying 370 00:15:17,049 --> 00:15:19,752 that Trump's actually right about this situation 371 00:15:19,852 --> 00:15:21,186 so far as China's concerned 372 00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:24,290 they don't practice fair trade practices 373 00:15:24,390 --> 00:15:25,858 and up to this point. 374 00:15:25,958 --> 00:15:28,928 Every president we've had has tried to negotiate tried 375 00:15:29,028 --> 00:15:32,798 to come up with solutions and Trump's the only one so far 376 00:15:32,898 --> 00:15:34,133 that's taken any action. 377 00:15:34,233 --> 00:15:36,101 >> Several things first of all I don't think anybody would argue 378 00:15:36,201 --> 00:15:37,803 that they engage in intellectual property 379 00:15:37,903 --> 00:15:39,972 theft talk to anybody in the tech world. 380 00:15:40,072 --> 00:15:44,009 >> SAS, Apple. All these people who develop programs China 381 00:15:44,109 --> 00:15:45,210 will imitate them steal them 382 00:15:45,311 --> 00:15:46,946 and then sell them at cheaper prices. 383 00:15:47,513 --> 00:15:49,214 And we haven't figured out how to deal with that 384 00:15:49,315 --> 00:15:51,116 on the tariff thing which is that this is fascinating to me 385 00:15:51,216 --> 00:15:52,751 because this is one area. 386 00:15:52,851 --> 00:15:56,655 President Trump I'm no fan but this is what he promised to do. 387 00:15:56,755 --> 00:15:58,023 He hasn't done it yet. 388 00:15:58,123 --> 00:16:01,293 He ran in many of these blue collar areas 389 00:16:01,393 --> 00:16:02,795 manufacturing areas 390 00:16:02,895 --> 00:16:04,229 saying I'm going to put tariffs on these goods 391 00:16:04,330 --> 00:16:05,731 I'm going to protect American jobs. 392 00:16:05,831 --> 00:16:08,267 Now we can argue whether or not it will protect American jobs 393 00:16:08,367 --> 00:16:10,970 but everybody should have known this was coming. 394 00:16:11,070 --> 00:16:12,538 I do think the other thing that's interesting 395 00:16:12,638 --> 00:16:14,974 this gets into the free trade argument overall he's. 396 00:16:15,074 --> 00:16:16,909 He's complained about that free trade agreements. 397 00:16:17,009 --> 00:16:18,477 I do think he has a sympathetic audience 398 00:16:18,577 --> 00:16:21,313 among a broad spectrum of folks when he talks about NAFTA 399 00:16:21,413 --> 00:16:23,816 and TPP although now this past week he came back 400 00:16:23,916 --> 00:16:26,318 and said maybe we'll get back in it we'll do TPP after all. 401 00:16:26,418 --> 00:16:28,320 >> So I wonder if he realizes that Mexico is one of the 402 00:16:28,420 --> 00:16:30,389 signators for TPP? 403 00:16:30,489 --> 00:16:33,859 >> Basically the bottom line is he doesn't have it 404 00:16:33,959 --> 00:16:35,728 doesn't seem to have any kind of coherent plan. 405 00:16:35,828 --> 00:16:37,930 That's the biggest issue. We can't even have an honest debate 406 00:16:38,030 --> 00:16:39,465 because you start talking about trade 407 00:16:39,565 --> 00:16:41,300 and he's changed his position back and forth in a week. 408 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:44,003 >> Brad the president says yes there will be 409 00:16:44,103 --> 00:16:45,604 some short term pain 410 00:16:46,405 --> 00:16:48,574 particularly in the agricultural sector. 411 00:16:49,775 --> 00:16:53,245 Then he turns around and he says but our farmers are patriots. 412 00:16:53,345 --> 00:16:56,515 Well I'm just wondering how patriotic are these farmers 413 00:16:56,615 --> 00:16:58,550 when their very lives existence 414 00:16:58,650 --> 00:17:00,119 and incomes are going to be threatened. 415 00:17:00,219 --> 00:17:04,523 >> Yeah I don't know and does the farmers rural North Carolina 416 00:17:04,623 --> 00:17:07,593 has been practically the base for Trump 417 00:17:07,693 --> 00:17:09,395 here in the state of North Carolina. 418 00:17:09,495 --> 00:17:11,797 So it's definitely going to take a chunk 419 00:17:11,897 --> 00:17:14,800 out of their hide economic hide as they move forward. 420 00:17:14,900 --> 00:17:17,069 >> To reaffirm what you're saying, 421 00:17:17,169 --> 00:17:19,805 eighty five percent of North Carolina farmers are white. 422 00:17:20,406 --> 00:17:24,243 87 percent are men. The average age is around 60. 423 00:17:25,244 --> 00:17:28,914 These have been Republican red voters for many years 424 00:17:29,014 --> 00:17:31,183 in North Carolina. Is a trade war 425 00:17:31,283 --> 00:17:34,386 going to swing them into a blue territory Anna? 426 00:17:34,486 --> 00:17:36,155 >> I think they'll definitely think about it. 427 00:17:36,255 --> 00:17:39,158 A Quinnipiac poll that came out this past month said 428 00:17:39,258 --> 00:17:41,593 that two thirds of Americans think a trade war 429 00:17:41,693 --> 00:17:43,128 is bad for our economy. 430 00:17:43,228 --> 00:17:46,165 >> Yeah well it's not much of a transmission transition 431 00:17:46,265 --> 00:17:47,599 to move to our next topic 432 00:17:47,699 --> 00:17:49,034 and for weeks we're going to be asked to vote 433 00:17:49,134 --> 00:17:51,136 in the 2018 primary elections. 434 00:17:51,236 --> 00:17:54,473 So far the only real excitement has come in the courtroom 435 00:17:54,573 --> 00:17:58,510 and not with ideological battles between candidates. 436 00:17:59,178 --> 00:18:02,548 Can't we expect these primary contests to ever heat up 437 00:18:02,648 --> 00:18:04,249 is the fact that it's so quiet 438 00:18:05,184 --> 00:18:06,618 due to the fact that candidates 439 00:18:06,718 --> 00:18:08,420 are having trouble raising money. 440 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:11,423 They aren't any real issues in the contest 441 00:18:11,523 --> 00:18:14,193 or are they conducting their campaigns differently. 442 00:18:14,293 --> 00:18:15,527 You do this for a living. 443 00:18:15,627 --> 00:18:17,396 >> I think the campaigns are being conducted differently. 444 00:18:17,496 --> 00:18:19,698 You're seeing a lot more digital communications 445 00:18:19,798 --> 00:18:24,703 so much more communications on the various social platforms 446 00:18:25,204 --> 00:18:26,772 Facebook in particular 447 00:18:26,872 --> 00:18:28,674 and how they communicate with the post 448 00:18:28,774 --> 00:18:31,043 and then were paid advertising on Facebook. 449 00:18:31,143 --> 00:18:35,714 So it's not as visual as we've seen in the past. 450 00:18:35,814 --> 00:18:39,485 But Tom I will tell you I think he got some really hot primaries 451 00:18:39,585 --> 00:18:40,853 across the state 452 00:18:40,953 --> 00:18:43,555 especially on the Republican side in Charlotte 453 00:18:43,655 --> 00:18:45,190 for example on the Democratic side 454 00:18:45,290 --> 00:18:48,727 the state Senate contest down there involving Senator 455 00:18:48,827 --> 00:18:51,630 for the State House Rodney Moore. 456 00:18:51,730 --> 00:18:53,799 Those are hotly contested race. 457 00:18:53,899 --> 00:18:56,301 The there are several sheriffs races 458 00:18:56,401 --> 00:18:59,304 the Chatham County Sheriff's race Pitt County sheriff's 459 00:18:59,404 --> 00:19:01,473 race Duplin County sheriff's race. 460 00:19:01,573 --> 00:19:03,575 >> And I want to get into more of that in a minute 461 00:19:03,675 --> 00:19:05,010 if you don't mind Chris. 462 00:19:06,278 --> 00:19:07,980 >> Let's talk about the Supreme Court 463 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:10,516 ruling that came down a short while ago 464 00:19:10,616 --> 00:19:14,019 that essentially changed the face 465 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,155 of this primary election from the standpoint 466 00:19:16,255 --> 00:19:17,656 that the U.S. Supreme Court 467 00:19:17,756 --> 00:19:20,025 said that the redistricting 468 00:19:20,125 --> 00:19:23,028 and the maps were drawn primarily by Nate Persily. 469 00:19:23,128 --> 00:19:25,697 The professor from out in California 470 00:19:25,797 --> 00:19:29,334 could be used with the exception of Wake 471 00:19:29,434 --> 00:19:30,903 and Mecklenburg County now. 472 00:19:31,570 --> 00:19:33,906 So what's going to happen there we're going to go back 473 00:19:34,006 --> 00:19:35,374 to the 2011 maps 474 00:19:35,474 --> 00:19:38,110 are we going to go to the maps that the legislature drew 475 00:19:38,210 --> 00:19:41,747 after the maps were declared racially biased. 476 00:19:41,847 --> 00:19:43,182 What are we going to be using. 477 00:19:43,282 --> 00:19:44,883 >> Well think again I'm not positive 478 00:19:44,983 --> 00:19:46,285 I think we're going to use the maps that were drawn 479 00:19:46,385 --> 00:19:48,120 by the legislature not the judge 480 00:19:48,220 --> 00:19:49,655 I mean that's what the ruling is counting 481 00:19:49,755 --> 00:19:51,290 in those counties right and this is in the counties. 482 00:19:51,390 --> 00:19:53,725 >> But here's the real issue -- >> They've asked for a stay. 483 00:19:53,825 --> 00:19:57,429 >> We're probably past that, we've got the maps. 484 00:19:57,529 --> 00:19:59,364 >> The interesting thing about this whole one of the things 485 00:19:59,464 --> 00:20:00,766 they haven't talked about and you just hit on it 486 00:20:00,866 --> 00:20:02,467 one reason why other primaries haven't heated up 487 00:20:02,568 --> 00:20:04,636 is something a lot of people candidates a lot of other folks 488 00:20:04,736 --> 00:20:05,904 didn't know what district they were going to be 489 00:20:06,004 --> 00:20:07,406 and there a lot of uncertainty. 490 00:20:07,506 --> 00:20:09,775 The second thing is there are some isolated primaries 491 00:20:09,875 --> 00:20:12,945 but this entire election is about I think 492 00:20:13,045 --> 00:20:15,480 and Republicans are going to try to make it about something else 493 00:20:15,581 --> 00:20:18,016 is about the direction of the country under President Trump. 494 00:20:18,116 --> 00:20:19,551 He's sucking all the for the wind 495 00:20:19,651 --> 00:20:21,620 and there are so many people used to follow state politics 496 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:23,121 and they still do. 497 00:20:23,222 --> 00:20:24,289 But when I asked them the first thing they want to talk about 498 00:20:24,389 --> 00:20:26,091 is what is Trump doing today. 499 00:20:26,191 --> 00:20:27,893 And that's it. That's a big it's going to be a big issue 500 00:20:27,993 --> 00:20:29,828 but this whole campaign >> A.B. do you agree with that? 501 00:20:29,928 --> 00:20:31,163 >> This is all about Trump. 502 00:20:31,797 --> 00:20:34,066 >> I think it's not going to be about Trump actually. 503 00:20:34,166 --> 00:20:36,802 What's interesting to me is that it feels like 504 00:20:36,902 --> 00:20:38,337 we're in the eye of a hurricane 505 00:20:38,437 --> 00:20:39,871 and we know something is coming. 506 00:20:40,539 --> 00:20:43,008 We've seen across the country focus on different races 507 00:20:43,108 --> 00:20:44,943 whether it's the Virginia governor's race 508 00:20:45,043 --> 00:20:46,845 or the Wisconsin judicial race. 509 00:20:46,945 --> 00:20:50,148 Lots of focus is being shifted around the country. 510 00:20:50,249 --> 00:20:51,583 But waiting for it to happen here 511 00:20:51,683 --> 00:20:54,386 is definitely something that is top on the list. 512 00:20:54,486 --> 00:20:55,988 >> I like your analogy. 513 00:20:56,088 --> 00:20:58,190 We're in the it's kind of quiet there in the eye. 514 00:20:58,290 --> 00:20:59,591 The winds are blowing all over. 515 00:21:00,626 --> 00:21:04,796 So let's do get to some of these particular races. 516 00:21:04,896 --> 00:21:06,798 Brad you mentioned some of them I think one of them 517 00:21:06,898 --> 00:21:10,736 this is the particularly related to white count 518 00:21:10,836 --> 00:21:12,638 is House District 11 John 519 00:21:12,738 --> 00:21:14,806 where we've got Dwayne Hall a Democrat 520 00:21:14,906 --> 00:21:16,308 facing two challengers. 521 00:21:17,509 --> 00:21:19,077 Lot of noise made about the fat 522 00:21:19,177 --> 00:21:21,346 he's been accused of sexual harassment 523 00:21:21,446 --> 00:21:22,781 a claim that he denies. 524 00:21:23,315 --> 00:21:25,250 The governor and many prominent Democrats 525 00:21:25,350 --> 00:21:28,654 have asked him to step down but he's refused. 526 00:21:29,955 --> 00:21:32,524 How might that affect his election. 527 00:21:32,624 --> 00:21:35,260 >> Well there's is just one challenger now. 528 00:21:35,360 --> 00:21:36,762 So it's a it's a two way race. 529 00:21:36,862 --> 00:21:41,066 But I would say that race got a lot of initial attention. 530 00:21:41,166 --> 00:21:43,735 I think he has not given up on winning that primary. 531 00:21:43,835 --> 00:21:45,837 And I wouldn't count it out entirely. 532 00:21:47,005 --> 00:21:48,607 But there are there are many race 533 00:21:48,707 --> 00:21:50,542 and I agree with Brad about that nature. 534 00:21:50,642 --> 00:21:52,711 Like I'm not the target audience for that race. 535 00:21:52,811 --> 00:21:54,146 I haven't gotten all the messaging 536 00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:56,848 but I've been watching some of the other primaries 537 00:21:56,948 --> 00:21:58,016 around the state 538 00:21:58,116 --> 00:22:00,719 that are vicious and very emotional 539 00:22:00,819 --> 00:22:03,955 and lot you know you know 150 comments on face. 540 00:22:04,056 --> 00:22:05,557 There are lots of very active primaries. 541 00:22:05,657 --> 00:22:07,959 It's just there isn't as much news media attention 542 00:22:08,060 --> 00:22:09,761 to some of these legislative news media. 543 00:22:09,861 --> 00:22:11,229 Absolutely. 544 00:22:11,330 --> 00:22:13,665 >> I want to I want to get a couple of other things. 545 00:22:13,765 --> 00:22:16,802 Number one the Rucho election 546 00:22:16,902 --> 00:22:19,938 obviously is something -- >> Four candidates in that race. 547 00:22:20,038 --> 00:22:21,640 >> And it is worth remembering that he used to live 548 00:22:21,740 --> 00:22:23,208 in Charlotte moving Iredell county and he's 549 00:22:23,308 --> 00:22:25,077 running in a district -- >> The race I really want 550 00:22:25,177 --> 00:22:26,611 to talk about as a congressional race. 551 00:22:26,712 --> 00:22:27,946 >> I think that's the only one 552 00:22:28,046 --> 00:22:30,916 that is the 3rd District congressional race. 553 00:22:31,016 --> 00:22:36,221 >> Walter Jones running against a Craven County commissioner 554 00:22:36,321 --> 00:22:39,157 and a Marine and a >> Had a big blow up this week 555 00:22:40,258 --> 00:22:43,195 over I can't remember what the issue was but 556 00:22:43,295 --> 00:22:44,796 >> It doesn't matter really. 557 00:22:46,665 --> 00:22:49,634 >> Well no doubt we'll be talking about this more 558 00:22:49,735 --> 00:22:51,536 as we get closer to the May 8 primaries 559 00:22:51,636 --> 00:22:55,474 but I right now have to stop and ask the question 560 00:22:55,574 --> 00:22:58,143 that the viewers would be irate if I didn't get to 561 00:22:58,243 --> 00:23:00,245 and that is tell us something we don't know, John Hood. 562 00:23:00,345 --> 00:23:04,216 >> The taxpayers of North Carolina appropriate 563 00:23:04,316 --> 00:23:06,318 about ten thousand dollars per student 564 00:23:06,418 --> 00:23:08,220 on average in the UNC system. 565 00:23:09,054 --> 00:23:11,690 This is current. This is not - well it used to be that way. 566 00:23:11,790 --> 00:23:14,159 It has been radically cut by the radical Republicans. 567 00:23:14,693 --> 00:23:17,696 It is still depending by how you compute at the second 568 00:23:17,796 --> 00:23:20,065 or fifth highest level of state 569 00:23:20,165 --> 00:23:22,300 spending on universities in the United States. 570 00:23:22,401 --> 00:23:25,604 In North Carolina the taxpayers are extremely generous 571 00:23:25,704 --> 00:23:27,172 to the University of North Carolina system 572 00:23:27,739 --> 00:23:29,141 by national standards. 573 00:23:29,241 --> 00:23:30,375 >> Tell us something we don't know. 574 00:23:30,475 --> 00:23:32,711 >> National Crime Victims Rights Week. 575 00:23:32,811 --> 00:23:35,213 And one of the constitutional amendments we were talking about 576 00:23:35,313 --> 00:23:36,915 that's going to be under consideration 577 00:23:37,015 --> 00:23:39,184 in the state Senate will be Marcy's Law. 578 00:23:39,284 --> 00:23:41,686 Whether or not victims of crime in North Carolina 579 00:23:41,787 --> 00:23:44,589 have constitutional rights. >> Get compensated for it. 580 00:23:44,689 --> 00:23:46,591 Anna Beavon tell us something we don't know. 581 00:23:46,691 --> 00:23:49,494 >> This week CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg 582 00:23:49,594 --> 00:23:50,896 testified before both House 583 00:23:50,996 --> 00:23:53,398 and Senate congressional committees 584 00:23:53,498 --> 00:23:55,867 and mixed reaction across the Internet. 585 00:23:55,967 --> 00:23:59,504 But what's the big takeaway that his stock for Facebook 586 00:23:59,604 --> 00:24:02,841 went up 4.5 percent which is a large state game it happened t. 587 00:24:02,941 --> 00:24:04,109 >> Interesting Chris. 588 00:24:04,209 --> 00:24:05,710 Fitzsimon tell us something we don't know. 589 00:24:05,811 --> 00:24:07,345 >> Talking about the campaigns and I'm not saying I believe it 590 00:24:07,446 --> 00:24:09,080 but there are a lot of Democratic folks 591 00:24:09,181 --> 00:24:10,816 saying at events now 592 00:24:10,916 --> 00:24:12,617 that they're they think they're going to break 593 00:24:12,717 --> 00:24:14,286 not only break the super majority in the House 594 00:24:14,386 --> 00:24:16,121 but they're starting to think they have an outside chance 595 00:24:16,221 --> 00:24:17,656 of taking the state House 596 00:24:17,756 --> 00:24:19,524 which would dramatically change the calculus in North Carolina. 597 00:24:19,624 --> 00:24:22,494 I'm not I'm a believer yet but the fact that that's being 598 00:24:22,594 --> 00:24:24,563 that's the rhetoric out there is sort of interesting. 599 00:24:24,663 --> 00:24:26,131 >> Interesting. 600 00:24:26,231 --> 00:24:28,333 Well you've heard our spin on the issues of the day. 601 00:24:28,433 --> 00:24:30,902 Stay informed all during the week give your feedback 602 00:24:31,002 --> 00:24:32,237 and read my weekly column. 603 00:24:32,337 --> 00:24:34,506 Be sure to visit our Web site ncspin.com 604 00:24:34,606 --> 00:24:36,374 or catch NC Spin on Facebook 605 00:24:36,475 --> 00:24:37,776 and join us next week 606 00:24:37,876 --> 00:24:40,011 for more balanced debate for the Old North State. 607 00:24:40,111 --> 00:24:43,114 Until then stay informed and watch out for the spin. 608 00:25:38,470 --> 00:25:40,839 >> From treating the newest member of your family 609 00:25:40,939 --> 00:25:42,707 to helping a loved one make end of life 610 00:25:42,807 --> 00:25:44,776 decisions your family physician 611 00:25:44,876 --> 00:25:48,146 is with you every step for every stage of life 612 00:25:48,246 --> 00:25:49,881 for every member of your family. 613 00:25:50,382 --> 00:25:51,917 Despite a health care landscape 614 00:25:52,017 --> 00:25:54,719 for help with potential landmines family physicians 615 00:25:54,819 --> 00:25:56,087 across North Carolina 616 00:25:56,621 --> 00:25:59,257 are providing you a lifetime of committed 617 00:25:59,357 --> 00:26:00,792 dependable medical care 618 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:05,163 family physicians your trusted health care adviser for life. 619 00:26:08,900 --> 00:26:12,203 >> Agriculture is North Carolina's 620 00:26:12,304 --> 00:26:14,739 number one economic driver. 621 00:26:15,473 --> 00:26:20,078 >> It puts people to work it powers our economy. 622 00:26:20,845 --> 00:26:25,550 And as agriculture grows so does our quality of life. 623 00:26:26,451 --> 00:26:30,689 North Carolina Farm Bureau is proud to support agriculture 624 00:26:30,789 --> 00:26:34,192 and our farmers because agriculture. 625 00:26:34,292 --> 00:26:35,527 >> Connects us all. >> 626 00:26:38,863 --> 00:26:40,699 North Carolina channel is made possible 627 00:26:40,799 --> 00:26:42,701 by the financial contributions of viewers 628 00:26:42,801 --> 00:26:45,503 like you who support the UNC-TV network.